WJP ranks Liberia 94 on Rule of Law index

The World Justice Project (WJP) today, October 20, released the Rule of Law Index for 2016, ranking Liberia 94 among countries that uphold Rule of Law. WJP Rule of Law Index is an annual report that measures how the rule of law is experienced by the general public worldwide.

According to the Index, Liberia’s ranked 94 on rule of law, and the overall rule of law performance places the country at 11 out of 18 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, 7 out of 12 among low income countries, and 94 out of 113 countries and jurisdictions worldwide.

A release issued in Monrovia says WJP Rule of Law Index is the world’s leading source for original data on the rule of law in Washington. The 2016 edition expands coverage to 113 countries and jurisdictions (from 102 in 2015), relying on more than 100,000 household and expert surveys to measure how the rule of law is experienced in practical, everyday situations by the general public worldwide.

The release says performance is measured, using 44 indicators across eight primary rule of law factors, each of which is scored and ranked globally and against regional and income peers: Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice, and Criminal Justice.

The top three overall performers in the WJP Rule of Law Index 2016 the report says are Denmark, Norway, and Finland, while the bottom three are Afghanistan (111), Cambodia (112), and Venezuela (113).

In the Sub-Saharan Africa, the top performer is South Africa with Cameroon trailing. “Effective rule of law is the foundation for communities of peace, equity, and opportunity,” said William H. Neukom, WJP Founder and CEO.

“No country has ever attained—let alone sustained—a perfect realization of the rule of law. The WJP Rule of Law Index is intended to be a first step in setting benchmarks, informing and guiding reforms, and deepening appreciation and understanding for the foundational importance of the rule of law”, he added.

Countries measured in the Sub-Saharan Africa region include Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, while low income countries are Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, the report says.

According to the release, World Justice Project (WJP) is an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to advance the rule of law around the world. Effective rule of law reduces corruption, combats poverty and disease, and protects people from injustices large and small. It is the foundation for communities of peace, opportunity, and equity—underpinning development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights. Press release